Compressor



R. J. KUNTZ Aug. 19, 1947.V

COMPRESSOR Filed nec. 13, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ////////l n//////////// V//l// am U MK. J V mw, m

R. J. KUNTZ COIIPRESSOR Aug 19,

Filed Dee. 13, 1945..

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INVENTOR. A Ralph J. Kunz.

Arran/vers Aus.`19,1947. RJ. KUNTZ' ,2,425,813

COMPRESSOR 'Filed DBC. 13, 1945 4 SheetS-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

i Ralph J. Kuni'z. sy M, iM

Arron/vers Patented Aug. 19, 1947 Urt/iran STATES. Partir .o

Fries attains ooMrnEsson Ralph J. Kuntz, Columbus, Ohio application December 1e, 1945-, seriai No. 634,712

is claims. (oi. 23o- 217i and relatively lightcompressor which will function efliciently and effectively to compress a charge of fluid. This need is particularly evident in the automotive ield, but is not limited thereto. For example, on large trucks or other vehicles'it is desirable to increase the power of the internal combustion engine to facilitate travel up a grade or pulling of a heavy load at a reasonable rate of speed or to enhance the operation of the engine under other power-dissipating conditions. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a` simple, small, compact and relatively light compressor of the general type indicated which can be manufactured at a low cost.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compressorof the type indicated in the preceding paragraph which will function emciently and effectively to 'compress a charge of fluid.

compresses it, and then delivers it to the cylinders of the engine. A simple adapter is associated with the carburetor for connecting the intake line of the compressor to' the carburetor and the outlet line of the compressor tothe intake manifold ofthe engine. The compressor is preferably driven by the fan belt of the engine.

The compressor itself includes a hollow rotatable shaft which is driven by the fan belt. This shaft is connected by a suitable suction conduit to the carburetor and receives the fuel charge from the carburetor. The shaft carries a sleeve,

within which it can rotate, and this sleeve carries disk-like pistons which do not rotate relative to the sleeve but can be reciprocated relative to the axis thereof. IIhe pistons are arranged in pairs and the pistons of each pair are moved towards and away from each other. The pistons have their peripheral edges in close contact with a surrounding cylinder wall so that an annularuid chamber is formed between each pair of pistons and between each end piston and the heads of the cylinder. The pistons are slidably carried onthe sleeve and are secured thereto by means of pins Another object of my invention is to provide a compressor which is particularly useful in association with an internal combustion engine for the purpose of compressing the gaseous fuel inirf. ture before it enters the cylinders, thereby, in-

. creasing the power of the engine and resulting in a considerable saving oi' fuel.

, Another object of my invention is to provide a compressor of such a nature that it can be readily associated with the carburetor of an intornai combustion engine, will be automatic in` operation, and will efficiently operate under all weather and atmospheric conditions.

Stili another object of my invention is to pro-n vide a compressor of such a nature that it may be mounted on an internal combustion engine with ease and by' the use of simple and inexpensive xtures.

Various other objects will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawings referred to in the following descriptions, I have illustrated my compressor disposed in association with an internal combustion engine. that it is capableof other applications.

In associating it with an internal combustion engine, it is arranged so that it receives the gasecus fuel and air mixture from the carburetor,

However; it ls to be understood 1 which extend through longitudinal slots formed therein and which extend into cam grooves which are formed in the periphery of the hollow shaft. When the shaft is rotated, the sleeve, which is keyed in the heads of the cylinder, remains sta`` tionary, and the disk pistons are, consequently, reciprocated back and forth on the sleeve without being rotated. The cam grooves are so shaped that each pair of pistons `will alternately move towards and away from each other. Thus, the annular chamber between each pair of npistons and the annularl chamber at each end of the cylinder will alternately be a compression and a suction chamber.

The hollow shaft is provided with inlet ports in its peripheral wall which are so shaped that during rotation of the shaft within the sleeve, the ports at intervals are brought into and out of association with the key slots, formed in the sleeve, to permit the fuel charge to be drawn from the hollow shaft into each of the annular chambers and to be trapped therein. The inlet port of each chamber is closed before the compressingaction, caused by vmovement of the pistons, occurs and is opened by the time the pistons move to create a suction force in the chamber. When the fluid charge in each chamber is compressed to a selected degree, an

. outlet valve in the Wall of .the cylinder autoof the compressor.

The preferred embodiment of my invention isA illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of referencedesignate corresponding yparts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a compressor constructed according to my invention.

. Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly `broken away, of the compressor.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view, in longitudinal section, of the upper portion of the compressor illustrating the passage of the charge intoand out of the annular iiuid chambers.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the compressor.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating thesuccessive steps in the operation of the compressor.

Figure 8 is shaft.

Figure 9 is a. detailed view, mainly in section, of the adapter for use in connecting the compressor to the carburetor and to the intake manifold of aninternal combustion engine.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the compressor associated with an internal combustion engine.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the adapter showing the suction and pressure conduits connected thereto.

With reference to the drawings, in Figure 10 I have illustrated my compressor I associated with an internal combustion engine 2. It receives the gaseous fuel and air mixture from the carburetor 3, compresses it, and then delivers it to a perspective view of the hollow the intake manifold 4y whi'chconducts it to the cylinders of the engine. A simple adapter 5 is interposed between the carburetor 3 and the intake manifold 4 for connecting the intake or suction line 6 of the compressor to the carburetorvv and for connecting the outlet or pressure line 'I of the compressor to the intake manifold 4. It will be noted that the compressor is mounted on the forward portion of the engine so that the fan belt 8 may pass around and drive the pulley 9 The compressor may be attached to the engine by suitable brackets (not shown) which may be secured to the compressor and the engine block by bolts or in any other suitable manner.

. The adapted 5 is illustrated in Figures 9 and l1. It is in the form of a tubular housing which has a fiange ||l`on its upper end to which the carburetor fiange is bolted and a flange on its lower end which is bolted to the top surfacev of the intake manifold 4. divided into a suction chamber I2 and a pressure chamber I3 by means of an angularly disposed partition I4. A tubular boss I5 is provided on the adapter 5 and provides an outlet passageway for the chamber I2. This boss I5 will receive the end of the flexible conduit 6. A similar Iboss I6 provides an inlet passageway for the chamber I3 and receives the end of the flexible conduit 1. The end of the compressor I is provided with an inlet fittingk I1 which receives the other end of the conduit Ii and is provided,.intennediate its ends and on its top surface, with an outlet tube I8 which receives the other end of the conduit 1.

The general structure of the compressor is illustrated best in Figures 1, 2, and 3. It is mainly of cylindrical form and includes an outer tubular shell I9 and an inner tubular shell 20 of slightly 'less' diameter than the shell I9. At

' one end of the compressor a cylinder head 2| is provided and at the other end a cylinder head 22 is provided. The head 2| is of disk-like form and is provided with a reduced disk-like portion 23 on its inner surface which tightly fits within the shell 20 and closes the end of such shell. The member 2| overlaps a peripheral flange 24 on the end of the shell I9 and is tightly bolted thereto by means of the bolts 25. The head 22 is similar to the head 2| and is provided with a reduced portion 26 which fits withinthe shell 20 and a peripheral flange which is bolted to the peripheral flange 21 of shell |9 by means of bolts 28. Due to the fact that the shell 20 is smaller in diameter than the shell I9, an annular chamber 29 is formed. This chamber, as will later appear, will serve as an outlet. chamber for the compressed fuel. The tubular outlet I8.' which is formed on the shell I9, will lead from this chamber.

Rotatably mounted within centrally disposed openings in each of the heads 2l and 22 is a hollow shaft 3D. This shaft is carried Iby a ball bearing 3| in the head 2| and a ball bearing 32 in the head 22. The ball bearing 3| is maintained in the bearing cup in the head 2| by means of the fitting I'l which is provided with'a peripheral flange 33 that is bolted by means of bolts 34 to a boss 35 formed on the head. The end of the shaft 30 terminates. within the flange 33 of the tting |1. The opposite end of the shaft extends -a considerable. distance outwardly beyond 'the head 22 and carries the driving pulley 9 which is keyed thereto. A collar 36 is bolted by means of bolts 3`| to a boss 3,8 formed on the head 22. This collar closely surrounds the extension of shaft 30 and maintains the bearing 32 in position within the cup formed in the head 22.

As previously stated, the fitting provides an inlet for the compressor. This fitting communicates with the adjacent end of the hollow shaft 30, as shown best in Figure 2. The opposite end of the shaft is closed by means of a plug 39 which is fitted tightly therewithin. The shaft 3D. is provided with a series of outlet ports 40 which are of special shape and are located in selected positions. These ports 40 will Ibe referred to more in detail hereinafter.

Closely surrounding the shaft 30, between the heads 2| and 22, is a sleeve 4|. This sleeve has its ends extending into the central openings of the heads 2| and 22 and the ends are keyed therein tovprevent rotation of the sleeve. The portion of the shaft 3D which is disposed between the heads 2| and 22 is enlarged and fits tightly within the sleeve 4|. The sleeve 4| is provided with four pairsof diametrically opposedelongated slots 42 which extendcompletely therethrough. These slots extend longitudinally of the sleeve and are spaced longitudinally from each other. The slots on each side of the sleeve are in alignment.

Carried on the sleeve 4| are four disk-like pistons 43. These pistons are so mounted that .they will not rotate on the sleeve but are free to move axially thereof. Each of the pistons @f3 closely surrounds the sleeve 4| and its outer peripheral edge is in close, `substantially fluid-tight contact with the inner surface of the shell 20. Each of Aacaricia the pistons I3 carries at diametrlcally opposed points, within radially extending sockets, the

plungers M. Each plunger M includes a spring 45,.' which forces a pin Eid towards the axis of the sleeve di. Each of the pins 46 extends through one of the slots 2 inthe sleeve 4l. This, consequently, will prevent the'plstons 4d from. rotating ports 4e and 40a described above is for a purpose onthe sleeve di, but will permit axial movement l of the pistons.

`Each pair o-f diametrically opposed pins 16 extends into a cam groove 4l which is formed in the periphery of the hollow shaft it. The cam grooves t1 are oftheoutline illustrated best in Figure 8. Each cam groove consists of two communicating substantially U-shape sections disposed on opposite sides of the shaft and extending in the same direction and to thef same extent longitudinally of the shaft. Thus, when the shaft rotates relative to the sleeve M, the piston 43 will be moved back and forth axially of the sleeve M through two complete movements during a single rotation of the shaft. The slots 42 are so associated with the grooves il and are of sufficient length that the axial movement of the pistons is permitted without the pins 4t interfering with the ends of the slots.

The pistons llt are arranged in two pairs dislll posed at opposite sides of the midpoint of the compressor. Consequently, four of the cam grooves il are provided. The adjacent. cam grooves are opnositely disposed so that they approach each other as indicated in Figure 8. Consequently, when the shaft til rotates, the pistons it of each pair will move towards and away from each other. The end pistons will move towards and away lfrom the cylinder heads with which they are associated. Thus, iive annular chambers will be provided around the sleeve di within the shell 2li and these chambers will be ,alternately pressure chambers and suction. chambers. In other words,A there will be a charge-receiving chamber between the two innermost pistons, a charge-receiving chamber between each of the outer pistons and the adjacent inner pistons, and a charge-receiving chamber between each of the outer pistons and the adjacent cylinder head.

The shape of each of the inlet ports it and the location of these ports relative to the cam grooves di is illustrated best in Figure 8. Each of the ports til is of eduilateral triangular outline with one of the vertices of the triangle being at the leading edge ofthe port, the hollowshaft being designed to rotate in as viewed from the front of the compressor in Figure l0. in addition to the ports dt, ports lilla are provided at the ends of the sleeve di and are of right triangular outline. Two of these ports dit are provided at each eind of the shaftat diametrically opposed points and each is so arranged that its side, which corresponds .to the hypotenuse of the triangle, is parallel to the` outer edge of the end cam groove il. However, these sides of the two ports extend in opposite directions, one extending outwardly towards the end of the shaft and the other extending inwardly. The ports dilo at the oppositg ends of the shaft are in alignment with each other, and between these end ports dilo., one of the ports tu is disposed. This port lili has its side edges parallel with, the inner edges of the two inner cam grooves tl. Between the two longitudinal lines of ports t0 and lilla, just described, and spaced circumferentially thereof, a pair o the ports le are located in longitudinal alignment and spaced longitudinally from each other. Each of the ports Sli a clockwise direction,

which will be apparent more clearly hereinafter. These ports, during rotation of shaft it, will be brought into communication with the slots I2 formed in the sleeve 4|. This will permit the fuel mixture to pass from the hollow shaft w into the annular` charge-receiving chambers around the sleeve 4l.

' For permitting the fuel charge to escape from the various charge-receiving .chambers after being compressed, f provide a series of outlet ports 48. Each of the ports 48 is rcontrolled by a oneway check valve, Each check valve consists of a flat valve seat 4S which is secured to the exterior of the shell 20, as shown in Figures 1 to 4l, and through which the outlet 48 extends. A dat leaf spring dii is attached to the outer surface of the seat 4t and normally is seated on memberlil in closing relationship to the outlet. 48, However, sulcient pressure developed' within shell 2U will bend the `leaf spring 50 and unseat it from the outlet opening. permitting escape of the compressed charge through the shell '2li and into the outer annular chamber 2d.-

Theoutlet ports 4B Aare arranged in i'ive lohgitudinally spaced rows so as to provide a row of these ports for each of the charge-receiving chambers. Each row consists of four of these ports, spaced circumferentially around the shell 2li at 90 intervals. The check .valves of each row will all open and close simultaneously. Each row of check valves is so located longitudinally ofthe compressor that the ports ed thereof will not be covered when the charge-receiving chamber with which they communicate is serving as a compression chamber. This will be evident from a comparison of Figures 2 and 4. Also, it will be noted from these figures that by the time the pistons have moved t0 compress a charge in a particular charge-receiving chamber, the inlet ports te or Ma which supplied the charge to said chamber will have been closed. i

The operation of the compressor will be clear from referenceto Figures 5, 6, and 7. When the internal combustion engine is started, the pulley 9 is driven in a clockwise direction thereby rotating the shaft 3d in a clockwise direction. The

carburetor 3 will feed a charge of fuel into the conduit li. Assuming the pistons dit are in the two outer pistons moved outwardlyto the extent of their movement and the two inner-pistons moved together to the extent of their movement, the compressor will operate through four stages, during a single revolution of the shaft, whichwill automatically result upon continued rotation of the shaft 3d. In the first stage (number l in Figure 7) the pair of inlet ports litio ateach4 side of the shaft ed move into registry with the two end slots t2 on each of the diametrically opposed sides of the lsleeve ti. Simultaneously the twodiametrically oped inlet ports fili, disposed be tween the end ports dilo, move into registry with both pairs of the diametrically opposed slots t2 disposed adjacent to the central portion of the sleeve. Due to the shape of the ports tu and 40a, there is a gradual registration of the ports with the slots. This provides for a gradual smooth feed ofthe fuel charge from the hollow shaft into the charge-receiving chambers. Also,

-gether and as movement, the valves50 for that chamber will ment, the fuel charge will be sucked in from the hollow shaft through the exposed openings 40 and 40a since relative rotation of the shaft 30 and sleeve 4i not only moves the pistons 43, but also controls the ports40 and 40a. Thus, in this stage, the two chambers at the end of the compressor will serve as suction chambers and the fuel charges will be drawn thereinto through the ports 40a. The middle chamber will also serve as a suction' chamber and the fuel charge will be drawn thereinto through the port 4U. The chambers between the pistons of the two pairs of pistons, in this stage, will sion chambers which have previously received charges of fuel. These charges will be compressed as thepistons of each pair move tothey reach the extent of their open permitting the compressed charge to flow through the outlets 48.

. In the second stage the two pairs of pistons are 4moved -in such a manner that the pistons ofeach pair move away from each other. This results in the two end chambers and the middle -chamber becoming compression chambers and in the chamber between each pair of pistons becoming a suction chamber. Simultaneously with such movement of the pistons, certain'of the ports 40 are exposed, allowing the fuel charges to be drawn into the suction chambers. The compressed fuel from lthe three compression chambers of this stage will b'e forced from such chambers through' the outlets 48 prov'ided therefor.

The next two stages (numbered 3 and 4 in Figure 7) which occur during the single rotation of the shaft are exactly the same as stages 1 and 2.

The movement of the pistonswill increase and decrease in accordance with the increase and decrease of the revolutions per minute of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the amount of compressed fuel supplied to the engine will be gauged according to th'e requirements of the engine. The compressed fuel will be supplied from the various compression chamberss successively and at frequent intervals so that sufficient pressure will be built up within the annular outlet chamber 29, the conduit 1 and the intake mani-- fold 4.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a simple, small, compact,

i relatively light and low cost compressor. However, it is of such a nature that it will function efficientlyand effectively tov compress a charge of fluid. My compressor is particularly useful in association with .an internal combustion engine for the purpose of compressing the lgaseous fuel mixture before it enters the cylinders, thereby, increasing the power of the engine andresulting in a considerable saving of fuel. The compressor is of such a nature that it can be associated readily with the carburetor of an internal combustion engine, it will be automatic' in operation and will operateeiiiciently under all weather Aand atmospheric conditions. The compressor is of such a nature that it may be mounted on an internal combustion engine with ease by the use of simple and inexpensive fixtures.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: l

l. A compressor comprising a shell, a hollow shaft extending wlth'in said shell and being rotatably mounted therein, pistons disposed within said shell and being non-rotatably but reciprocably mounted relative. to said shaft, means for reserve as compres- (numbered 2 in Figure 7).

3. A compressor comprising ashell, a hollow shaft extending within'said she'll and being rotatably mounted therein pistons disposed within said shell and being non-rotatably but reciprocably mounted relative to said shaft, said pistons being disposed in pairs, means for causing the pistons of each pair -to move towards and a'way from each other upon rotation of said shaft, said shaft being provided with inlet ports in its wall for permitting fluid to enter into the chambers formed around said shaft within said shell, a second shell enclosing the first shell to provide an outlet chamber therearound, and pressure-responsive valves for controlling the passage of fluid from said chambers into said outlet chamber.

4. A compressor comprising a shell, a hollow shaft within said shell and being rotatably mounted therein, a'sleevedisposed within said shell and being non-rotatably mounted therein in surrounding relationship to said shaft, pistons disposed within said shell and mounted on said sleeve for axial but non-rotatable movement relative thereto, said sleeve and said hollow shaft being provided with inlet ports adapted to be brought into and out of registration during rotation of said shaft, means for moving said pistons axially of s'aid sleeve upon rotation of said shaft, a second shell enclosing th'e rst shell to provide i an outlet chamber therearound, and pressurethrough longitudinally extending slots formed in said sleeve, said means for moving said pistons axially of said sleeve comprising cam grooves formed in said shaft and into which said pins extend.

6. A compressor compri-sing a shell, a hollow shaft within. said shell and being rotatably mountedg'thereinfa sleeve disposed within said shell andr being non-rotatably mounted therein in surrounding relationship to said shaft, pistons disposed within said shell and being mounted in pairs on said sleeve for axial. but non-rotatable movement relative thereto, said sleeve and said hollow shaft being provided with inlet ports adapted to be brought into and out of registration during rotation of said shaft, means for moving the pistons of each of said pairs toward-s and away from each other axially of said sleeve upon' rotation of said shaft, each of said pistons carrying pins-which extend through longitudinally extending slots formed in said'sleeve, said means for moving the pistons comprising cam grooves extending around the shaft and within' 7. A compressor according to claim 6 wherein the first shel1-is provided with a plurality of out- Y sleeve being provided with'long'ltudinally extend-- ing slots and said hollow shaft being provided with inlet ports which are adapted to be brought into and out of registration during rotation of said shaft, means for moving the pistons of each of said pairs towards and away from eafh other axially of said sleeve upon rotation of said shaft, said means including radially extending pins carried by said pistons which extend through said p slots formed in said sleeve, cam grooves extending around the shaft into which said pins extend,

a second shell enclosing the first shell to provide an outlet chamber therearound, andpressureresponsive valves for controlling the passage of fluid from within said nrst shell to `the outletchamber.

9.` A compressor according to claim 8 wherein said pins carried by said pistons are urged radially inwardly into said cam grooves by springs carried by the pistons and associated vwith the pins.

10. A compressor comprising a. casing, a holrotation of said shaft, and pressure-responsive -means for controlling the passage of uid from said casing.

11. A compressor according to claim 10 Wherein said pistons are splined to the sleeve by means of pins carried by the pistons and extending through longitudinal slots formed in said sleeve,

said means for moving said pistons axially of said ysleeve including cam grooves formed in said shaft and into which said pinsextend.

12. A compressor comprising a casing, a hollo shaft extending within said casing and being rotatably mounted therein, a sleeve disposed within said casing and being non-rotatably mounted therein in surrounding'relationship to said shaft, pistons disposed within said casing and being mounted in pairs on said sleeve for axial but nonrotatable movement relative thereto, said sleeve 1 being provided with longitudinallyextendingslots low shaftextending within said casing and being rotatably mounted therein, a sleeve disposed within said casing and being non-rotatably mounted therein in surrounding relationship to said shaft, pistons disposed within said casing and being mounted on said sleeve for axial but non-rotatable movement relative thereto, said sleeve and said hollow shaft being provided with inlet ports adapted to be brought into and out of registration during rotationV of said shaft, means for moving said pistons axially on said sleeve upon and said hollow shaft being provided with inlet ports which are adapted to be brought into and out of registration during rotation of said shaft, means for moving the pistons of e'ach of said pairs towards and away from each other axially of said sleeve upon rotation'of said shaft, said means including radially extending pins carried by said pistons which extend through said slot formed in said sleeve, cam grooves extendingaround the shaft into which said pins extend, and pressureresponsive valves for controlling the passage of fluid from said casing.

13. A compressor according to claim 12 wherein said pins carried by said pistons are urged radially inwardly into said cam grooves by springs carried byl the pistons and associated with the pins.

RALPH J. KUNTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are-of record in the file of this patent:`

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Dat'e 1,513,302 Wahlstrom Oct. 28, 1924 y 1,867,504 Franklin July 12, 1932 2,137,649 Hilliard Nov. 22, 1938 

